Awning ferrule



H. M. Dlx

AWNING FERRULE Dec. 7, 1943.

Filed April 18, 1942 N'VENTO R re/L ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 7, 1943UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE .AWNINGFERRULE Henryll/Iilton Dix, Seattle,Wash.

Application April 18, 1942, Serial No. 439,491

2 Claims.

This invention relates to an awning ferrule and is more particularlyadapted for use in joining the framing of a fabric awning.

It is an important object of my invention to provide an awning ferruleof simple construction and use that may be formed of metal or othersuitable material for cooperation with the frame members of an awning.

Another object of my invention relates to the provision of means wherebya ferrule may be tted to a frame member of an awning to enclose an endof the member in a manner to prevent dislocation of that member duringuse of the frame.

A further object of my invention relates to the provision, in an awningferrule, of clamping means whereby when the ferrule is cooperativelyjoined with a frame member of an awning the parts are securely clampedtogether to prevent accidental disassociation.

Other objects and advantages of my invention Will be more apparentduring the course of the following description wherein I have set forthand described the preferred form of my invention. This specication,taken in view of the accompanying drawing, constitutes a, disclosure ofmy invention and it is to be understood that a1- terations as to size,shape and material of my ferrule are contemplated within the scope ofthe sub-joined claims:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of an awning with portions broken away,for convenience of illustration, showing my awning ferrule in positionin the frame of the awning in cooperation with the other parts thereof,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of my awning ferrule,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, sectional view through a corner of an awninghaving my ferrule incorporated therein, Y

Figure 4 is a plan view of a pivoted arm of a ferrule with portionsshown in section illustrating the manner in which the ferrule isemployed, and

Figure 5 is a sectional View through a modified form of my awningferrule.

Throughout the drawing like reference numerals refer to like parts. Thenumerals I0, I designate brace arms conventionally employed in an awningframe. These arms are usually provided with caps l2, l2 on their innerends that may be secured in place as by a rivet I4 passing through thecap and the arm. A pivot ear I6, provided with a hole l1, is customarilyjoined by a pin I8 to a pivot clip 20 that may be secured to a buildingor other structure to which the awning is applied.

The ferrule 22, shown clearly in Figure 2, comprises side walls 23 and24 and end walls 25 and 26 arranged together in a manner to dei-lne arectangular enclosing member. A hollow boss 2S extends outwardly fromthe outer face of the wall 26 and an opening or socket 36 therethroughcommunicates through it to the interior of the ferrule. 'I'he opening 36may be threaded as has been shown in the drawing.

The outer end of an arm l0 is inserted through the opening 30 to jointhe two elements together. In certain cases the end 32 extends into thearea enclosed by the ferrule. In the figures of the drawing it is shownthat arm I0 is threadedly joined to the ferrule so that the end 32 ofthe arm may protrude through Wall 26.

A spreader bar 34, usually formed of wood, c0- operates With arms I 0,I0 to complete the desired shape of the frame. Its ends are eachinserted into a ferrule according to Figure 2 to join the elementstogether.

As may beclearly seen in Figure 3, the walls 25 and 26 of the ierrulelie in planes that tend to converge in one direction and to diverge inthe opposite direction to provide a slight flare or taper in theferrule. This provision of a flare to the walls of the ferrule makes itpossible when an end of the member 34 is inserted therein, to becompressed slightly so that a compressing t can be obtained. While thewalls of the ferrule are shown as tapering it will be obvious that theymay be parallel where it is thought not necessary to compress the end ofmember 3ft.

In assembling the mechanism, usually the bar 34 has a ferrule tted toeach end and then an arm Il) is inserted into the boss 28 of each of theferrules to securely join the structure in a rigid manner. By formingthe ends of the bar Ii) with enough eXtra material to insure its passingentirely through the boss 28 it is possible to engage and clamp themember Sli into the ferrule tightly and securely.

The clamping operation above described can be facilitated by theemployment of threads on the end of bar l0 and on the interior of thepassage through the boss 28. In that case all an operator need do is toscrew the bar I0 sucientl into the boss so that its end bites into therelatively soft material of the bar 34 and forms its own clampingdepression 33 therein. A depression 33 may be preformed by drilling andthe en? (iai the arm inserted through the ferrule and 1n o The fabric ofthe awning comprises the sloping surface 36 usually having dependingside Walls 38, 38. In the dashed lines of Figure 1 a fringe or valanceis suggested at 39. At the corners where the fabric of the awning passesover the ferrule, a tack or nail as 40 is driven through the fabric andinto the ends of member 34 if they are wooden. In the case of metal, ascrew or boli'l would be used.

In Figure 5 I have shown a modified form of my ferrule 42 having all ofthe characteristics above described lbut also including an end Wall 44provided with a hole 45 for the reception ofr a..

In this case the four sides fastener member 4U. of bar 34 are enclosedas well as the ends by' the ferrule.

As an added aid in securing the'ferrule 22 rig- K idly to bar 34, I formon the'wa1l25, opposite the hollow boss 28, a barb 41. Thus when theferrule and bar are assembled, the barb cooperates with the end of barI0 to resist any tendency of the two elements separating.

I claim:

l. An awning ferrule comprising a plurality of Walls joined together toform a loop, a boss on one Wall having a socket therein extendingthrough the Wall and communicating with the space enclosed by the loop,at least one of said Walls being disposed in a plane at an angle to theaxis of the loop.

2. An awning ferrule comprising a plurality of Walls joined together toform a loop and having an interior detent at one end, and a boss in theWall opposite said detent, said boss having a socket therein extendingthrough the Wall and communicating with the space enclosed by the loop.

, HENRY MILTON DIX.

